Ski & Snowboard
Cervinia is one of Italy's leading ski resorts with a very modern infrastructure and, since different lifts are linked to Zermatt in Switzerland, a network of about 350km of slopes. As such Cervinia has access to Europe's highest lifts and this fact allows skiing and boarding during summer and winter. Cervinia skiers and boarders also have access to one of the world's longest ski runs, an epic descent of more than 20km from the Kleine Matterhorn above Zermatt down to Cervinia's lift-linked neighbour, Valtournenche.
Starting at the village at Breuil-Cervinia (2050m) you can reach Plateau Rosa (3480 m) in 40 min including lift transfers. At Pleateau Rosa you have further lift access to 3,883m on the Swiss side of the ski domain. Easy to navigate, clearly signposted, perfectly groomed throughout the season and wide pistes make a perfect cocktail for a relaxing ski experience. We have the advantage of some good off piste runs and reasonably priced heli ski. The helicopter allows access to some magnificent terrain and high altitude powder while flying up you can enjoy 360 degree mountain views including some of Europe's grandest peaks.
With 150km of piste on the Italian side including 17 blue runs and 34 red runs, Cervinia is a good choice of ski resort for both beginners and intermediate skiers. It's also excellent for mixed ability groups as there are many central meeting places and mountain restaurants that are easily reached by most levels of skier and boarder. Off mountain, the compact centre of Cervinia is mainly pedestrianised and pleasant to stroll in with some good shops, plenty of convivial bars, pizzerias and restaurants and some excellent accommodation. You can meet your company of skiers and snowboarders in the village without they need to loose precious time for taking a nice lunch all together!
Click here to download the ski trail map (PDF, 7MB)
Good to know:
Cervinia is snow certain and snow conditions generally remain excellent throughout the day, even late into the season, due to the resort's high altitude. However, the high altitude and open nature of the valley means a lot of sunshine when the weather is good, but can also lead to cold and windy conditions, which may occasionally limit skiing options.
The Cervinia ski area can be accessed from the Plan Maison cable car towards the top end of the village, or the Cretaz chair lifts in central Cervinia. Those staying in the neighbouring resort of Valtournenche, 9km from Cervinia, or driving to Cervinia for the day can take the cable car directly from Valtournenche to Salette. Pisted runs lead to all three of these main ski lifts.
Cervinia's Italian Area lift pass covers all the lifts in Cervinia and Valtournenche, and daily extensions can be purchased separately for skiing in Zermatt. To have unlimited access to Zermatt you should purchase the International Lift Pass. Beginners may choose to purchase a dedicated which gives access to the carpet lifts, the 'Campetto' chairlift in town and the 'Baby La Vieille' drag lift at Plan Maison. There are different options of lift pass with the Italian Area Pass covering all the lifts in Cervinia and Valtournenche ( about 150 km), and the International Pass also valid for all ski lifts in Zermatt (about 194 km).
Begginers will be happy on the sunny nursery slopes served by the centrally located Campetto and Cretaz lifts, or at Plan Maison, where there are a number of easy blue runs accessed from the Baby La Veille button or the Plan Maison chair lift. Moving carpet lifts are also available at both Plan Maison and Cretaz.
Intermediates have a choice of numerous long, well groomed red runs including the superb 22 km long Ventina piste. For a quieter, more natural ambience the red and blue runs between Cime Bianche and Salette offer fabulous views of the Monterosa chain from an unspoiled environment.
The Matterhorn area of Zermatt is well linked with the Cervinia ski area and offers an added dimension, with some long, high altitude glacier runs and the opportunity to ride Europe's highest cable car up to the Klein Matterhorn, at an altitude of 3,883m, then ski hugely long descents from the Klein Matterhorn down to either Zermatt or Valtournenche; approximately 22km from top to bottow.
More advanced skiers will enjoy Cervinia's black runs which include some steep descents and mogul fields. The long red runs in the Matterhorn area of Zermatt are also fun and reasonably challenging.
When the conditions are right, Cervinia offers some great powder skiing with many off-piste options easily accessible from the lift system. In addition the Cervinia heliski company offers a range of heli itineraries at surprisingly reasonable prices. These breathtaking, panoramic routes, accompanied by qualified and experienced Alpine Guides, are graded by difficulty as well as their suitability for skiers or boarders.
Cervinia is a border friendly resort with plenty of wide runs for beginners and intermediates and few flats to worry about. And with the exception of the long drag lift from the Valtournenche area up to Cime Bianche Colle, most of Cervinia's ski lifts are either chairlifts or cable cars.
Cielo Alto is accessible even when the weather is bad and usually offers great powder. The extensive Indian Park snow park is located at 3,000m in the Fornet area, and there is a Half Pipe, just over the border in Zermatt, which is open all year round.
